a piano in which some strings have been damped by having objects placed between them or tuned differently from the rest for specific tonal effect. This process was pioneered by John Cage
prepared piano in American English
noun
a grand piano that has been altered for some modern compositions by having various objects attached to its strings to change the sound and pitch, and performance on which typically involves playing the keys, plucking the strings, slapping the body of the instrument, and slamming the keyboard lid
Word origin
[1955–60]This word is first recorded in the period 1955–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: backgrounder, geodesic dome, life-support, new wave, opioid
Examples of 'prepared piano' in a sentence
prepared piano
Composed for prepared piano and orchestra, its chaos and whispers never formed a concerto.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is as though the sweet alienation effect of a 'prepared' piano had been applied to a whole programme.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was a calligrapher, a writer, a master of 'le ton blague' (or irony) and the first composer to write for prepared piano.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Perched on one of his prepared pianos is a wellthumbed book of technique studies.